My groin chafes just thinking about those tight pants.
Who are these people and why are they here? Is this one of the kids for the show? Why isn't she in rehearsal with Josh?
"Can I help you with something?" I don't know why I lead with this. Idiot.
When Tabitha looks over to me, the grin quickly falls from her face.
Dammit. I want to be the one to put the smile there, not take it away.
Wait—no. I can't be thinking like that. It’s good that she doesn't want me around. It's how it needs to be. "We're ready for you. It's time to run through your song." I hadn't actually planned on this, but I need her to come with me instead of being out here with others.
What the hell am I doing?
"Josh is waiting for you in the music room. You can warm up there."
"I don't need to warm up. I'm good."
"You have to warm up. You'll strain your voice," I admonish her, as if she's never sung before.
"Henderson, I've got this." Her tone is cool and clipped. "C'mon." She motions to the people with her. "Ben, would you?"
It's only then I notice Mr. Cowboy is holding a guitar.
Tabitha and her entourage march past me and down through the theatre. She doesn't stop until she's midstage. The cowboy sits down at the piano in the pit. The bloke in the tight pants says, "Remember to bounce the sound. Play with the cry."
Who is this dipstick?
Before I can figure it out, the cowboy is playing the opening notes, and Tabitha starts singing. She's in the middle of the stage, commanding all attention with her soulful voice. Silence descends over the theatre, with the exception of the piano and her voice. As she approaches the chorus and her first belt, I realize I'm holding my breath. As much as I try, I cannot get my lungs to work. The only thing my body can do is devote everything to absorbing what Tabitha is giving.
I cannot look away.
As her voice, purposefully breathless, trails out on the last two words, I gasp for oxygen. The spell breaks as applause erupts from various locations in the theatre. A hand claps my shoulder.
"Dammit, Henderson. We cast this wrong. You should be playing P.T. Barnum. You've nailed the smitten look perfectly."
I want to growl, to turn away, to … something, but I can't. She has me transfixed.
Grayson continues. "This is so cool. I can't believe Mandy Calhoun and Ben Reynolds are here. Word on the street is they are collaborating on an album."
The names finally permeate my brain with some recognition. Mandy was a Sassy Cat—the lead one, if there was one. Her vocals are phenomenal. Ben Reynolds started off with the group as one of their musicians but has gone on to have a Grammy-winning career as a songwriter. We are in the presence of greatness, all because of Tabitha.
"Who's the guy in the excessively tight pants?"
"That's Daniel Vasquez. Vocal coach. He's worked with everyone who's anyone. Tabby brought him in to work with her. I guess she's pretty serious about being here."
I look at the cast, now surrounding Tabitha and her guests. They all look like starstruck fans backstage at a concert. I want to join in, to be part of the crowd, but instead I stay back.
I watch Tabitha, though I try not to. If I thought she lit up when doing karaoke, that was a dim bulb compared to how brightly she's shining now. I don't know what she's been doing with her life, but she was made to be in the spotlight.
Now I need to figure out how to get her there.
Chapter 27: Tabitha
This.
This is what I've been missing.
Performing. The stage. The applause. The love.
